Entirely off-topic
This comment has nothing at all to do with your post, though you did mention "stupid PhD courses". I am posting this here since

i) If I guessed correctly, you have direct access to a bunch of undergraduate students who are more likely, than the average undergraduate student, to consider going off the beaten track, and

ii) This blog seems to be a watering hole for more such folks who are already someway on the beaten track, but might be waiting for a nudge to go off it!

With that out of the way, here is the plug :

It is time to start applying for the Ph.D programme in Theoretical Computer Science for the term beginning 2008 August at The Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSc), Chennai.

You are eligible if you are

i) A talented B.Sc/B.E/B.Tech graduate, OR an M.Sc/M.E/M.Tech/MCA, and

ii) Interested in the mathematical aspects of Computer Science.

Notes:
1. AFAIK, the exact branch/discipline of your degree does not matter -- it is point (ii) that counts.
2. You should apply even if you are in the final year of your qualifying degree, and expect to complete it around August 2008.
3. If you are not yet in the final year, you should think about joining the visiting students programme.

For admission to this programme, you should apply for the Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST) 2008. The application can be done online as well as offline. See the above link and the JEST 2008 Brochure for details.


(And no, this is not a PhD course of the kind alluded to in the original post!)

-- Philip